paper over

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word paper over. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word paper over, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say paper over in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word paper over you have here. The definition of the word paper over will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofpaper over, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

Suggesting the use of wallpaper to cover defects on a wall.

Verb

paper over (third-person singular simple present papers over, present participle papering over, simple past and past participle papered over)

  1. (transitive, figurative) To superficially hide or disguise (a problem or a defect) without addressing it; to provide a veneer of normality or success.
    Synonyms: cover up; gloss over; whitewash
    • 2014, Patric Chovanec, at Bloomberg, China's Runaway Train is Running Out of Track:
      Runaway lending continues, bad debts mount even higher, and the need for more cash to paper over losses becomes that much more acute.
    • 2016, Wesley Widmaier, Economic Ideas in Political Time, →ISBN, page 151:
      While Volcker briefly submitted his resignation to Treasury Secretary Baker, a new vote would paper over immediate tensions – though Volcker's time as chair was numbered, going forward.

Translations

See also

Anagrams